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Art & Culture

Culture and art is many things and at Tales you find a wide selection of art and culture books. If you enjoy a trip to the museum or an evening at the theatre this is the place for you. If you are more into architecture or a well written song, fear not you also find books about that. Lastly design and fashion is also part of our art and culture selection, so what are you waiting for? Set your inner creativity free and get inspired by some of the world’s best artists, musicians, designers or architects.
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  • Save 24%
    by Sarah Simblet
    £18.99

    Sarah Simblet unveils the extraordinary construction of the human body and celebrates its continuing prominence in Western Art today.

  • Save 25%
    - A Retrospective
     
    £48.99

    First comprehensive monograph on contemporary Danish artist Michael Kvium, mapping-out his entire career in painting, drawing, and sculpture.

  • Save 32%
    by Architectural Digest
    £61.49

    Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style is an incredible book written by none other than Architectural Digest. This book, published in 2019, is a true testament to the enduring style and substance of Architectural Digest. It is a comprehensive and deeply researched book that takes you through a century of style and design. The book is a compilation of the most beautiful homes in the world, all beautifully photographed and presented. The genre of this book is Architecture and Design. Published by Abrams, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in design, architecture, or simply beautiful homes. It's a book that will inspire you and make you appreciate the beauty of design even more. In this book, you'll find a century's worth of innovative and inspiring designs, all brought to you by the trusted experts at Architectural Digest. This book is a testament to their expertise and dedication to the world of design. So, if you're looking for a book that will inspire, educate, and entertain, Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style is the book for you.

  • Save 18%
    by Karen Homer
    £11.49

    The illustrated story of Christian Dior's early life, the brand's inception, the triumphs of the couture collections on the catwalk and the red carpet, and the brand's journey after the death of its founder.

  • Save 24%
    by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel
    £18.99

    The Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Cookbook is the ultimate source for creating out-of-this-world meals and treats all the way from Black Spire Outpost.

  • Save 21%
    - Authentic embroidery projects for modern stitchers
    by Alison Larkin & Jennie Batchelor
    £13.49

    Jane Austen was as skilful with a needle as she was with a pen. This unique book from Jennie Batchelor and Alison Larkin showcases recently discovered 18th century embroidery patterns expertly repurposed into 15 exciting modern stitching projects. Now readers can stitch-a-long with Jane to make a selection of beautiful and practical items.

  • Save 27%
    - The Slow Home
    by Natalie Walton
    £23.49

    A stunning visual journey through the homes of people from around the world who have taken steps to simplify their lives and embrace the principles of slow living

  • Save 29%
    by Julian Watson
    £28.49

    In an era of high-tech and climate extremes, we are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. Enter Lo-TEK, a design movement building on indigenous philosophy and vernacular infrastructure to generate sustainable, resilient, nature-based technology. With a foreword by anthropologist Wade Davis and spanning 18 countries from Peru and...

  • Save 29%
    by Naughty Dog Naughty Dog
    £33.99

    The Art of The Last of Us Part II, penned by the creative minds at Naughty Dog Naughty Dog, is a mesmerizing journey into the world of one of the most critically acclaimed video games. This book, published by Dark Horse Comics, U.S., in 2020, offers an exclusive look into the immersive art and design that brought the game to life. As a reader, you're invited to witness the development of the game from the earliest concept art stages to the final, detailed production pieces. This book is a must-have for fans of the genre and a testament to the game's artistry. Dive into the captivating post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us Part II, and appreciate the depth of detail and creative vision that Naughty Dog has brought to the gaming industry.

  • by Linda Bloomfield
    £18.99

  • Save 21%
    - Find Inspiration Every Day in the Natural World
    by Lorna Scobie
    £13.49

    Nature-inspired art activities and creative prompts for every day of the year

  • Save 29%
    by Nick Cave
    £28.49

    A Sunday Times top ten bestseller. A journey in images and words into the creative world of musician, storyteller and cultural icon Nick Cave

  • Save 27%
    - With exclusive LEGO spaceman minifigure!
    by Gregory Farshtey
    £21.99

    Celebrate the epic journey of the LEGO® minifigure. Features an exclusive orange spaceman!Enter the world of minifigures with this fully updated edition. The first minifigure was created in 1978, and today the entire minifigure population could circle the globe more than five times! Starring more than 2,000 of the most popular and rarest minifigures from the LEGO® Minifigure Series and themes including LEGO® NINJAGO®, THE LEGO® MOVIE¿, LEGO® Star Wars¿, LEGO® City, LEGO® Harry Potter¿, and many more. From astronauts and vampires to Super Heroes and movie characters, feast your eyes on the most awesome minifigures of every decade!©2020 The LEGO Group.

  • Save 21%
    - Resisting the Attention Economy
    by Jenny Odell
    £14.99 - 19.99

    "e;A complex, smart and ambitious book that at first reads like a self-help manual, then blossoms into a wide-ranging political manifesto."e;Jonah Engel Bromwich, The New York Times Book ReviewNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY: Time*; The New Yorker *;NPR*;GQ*;Elle*;Vulture*;Fortune*; Boing Boing*;The Irish Times*;The New York Public Library*; The Brooklyn Public LibraryPorchlight's Personal Development & Human Behavior Book of the YearNothing is harder to do these days than nothing. But in a world where our value is determined by our 24/7 data productivity . . . doing nothing may be our most important form of resistance. So argues artist and critic Jenny Odell in this field guide to doing nothing (at least as capitalism defines it). Odell sees our attention as the most preciousand overdrawnresource we have. Once we can start paying a new kind of attention, she writes, we can undertake bolder forms of political action, reimagine humankind's role in the environment, and arrive at more meaningful understandings of happiness and progress. Far from the simple anti-technology screed, or the back-to-nature meditation we read so often, How to do Nothing is an action plan for thinking outside of capitalist narratives of efficiency and techno-determinism. Provocative, timely, and utterly persuasive, this book is a four-course meal in the age of Soylent.

  • Save 18%
    - How to Create Art on an iPad (R)
     
    £17.99

    Delve into the world of digital painting on an iPad with step-by-step tutorials, hints, and tips from professional artists.

  • Save 19%
    by Pernille rum
    £19.49

    This is the first major publication from popular visual development artist and character designer, Pernille Orum. It follows on from the success of Pernille's two previous showcase art books (Blush and Coral) but is a more ambitious volume filled with even more art, behind the scenes and plenty of tips and tutorials. An ideal read for any budding animation artist.

  • Save 24%
    by Eleanor Nairne
    £18.99

    A condensed edition of the best-selling Basquiat monograph. Pristine reproductions of Basquiat's seminal paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches, as well as texts by editor Hans Werner Holzwarth and curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne, bring us up close and personal to a legend synonymous with 1980s New York.

  • Save 18%
    by Laia Farran Graves
    £11.49

    Documenting the history of this family brand and representing a summary of Miuccia Prada's key collections and pieces, including the launch of the Miu Miu line, this book showcases the brand's emphasis on understated elegance and luxury, technologically advanced fabrics and originality of design.

  • Save 18%
    by Karen Homer
    £11.49

    The Little Book of Gucci tells the story of this historic yet flourishing house, and the visionary looks that have cemented its place in fashion history.

  • Save 14%
    by Richard Ayoade
    £9.49

    At last, the definitive book about perhaps the best cabin crew dramedy ever filmed: View From the Top starring Gwyneth Paltrow. In Ayoade on Top, Richard Ayoade, perhaps one of the most 'insubstantial' people of our age, takes us on a journey from Peckham to Paris by way of Nevada and other places we don't care about.

  • Save 23%
    by Louisa Taylor
    £15.49

    An exploration of the artistic process, methodology and techniques of 100 great ceramic artists, offering both practical advice and inspiration.

  • Save 30%
    by Images Iconic
    £41.99

  • Save 21%
    - Tove Jansson's Art & Pictures
    by Tove Jansson
    £13.49

    22 prints from the Moomin archives plus a selection of Moomin quotes and facts, beautifully packaged in this special gift book celebrating 75 years of the Moomins.

  • Save 24%
    by Brandon Stanton
    £18.99

    The thrilling book that brings people all around the world together by the creator of Humans of New York

  • Save 26%
     
    £19.99

    This elegant coffee table cookbook highlights the luxe and elegance of the Christmas at Downton Abbey and features a collection of traditional British holiday recipes, from appetizers to desserts, that were popular during the Edwardian period.

  • Save 29%
    - New York in Color, 1952-1962
    by Phillip Prodger
    £28.49

    The first book on master photographer Ernst Haas's work dedicated to both his classic and newly discovered New York City color photographs of the 1950s and 60s.

  • Save 23%
    by Gucci Mane
    £15.49

    Gucci Mane's secrets to success, health, wealth and self-improvement.

  • Save 14%
    - THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
    by Randall Munroe
    £9.49

    The world's most entertaining and useless self-help guide, from the brilliant mind behind the wildly popular webcomic xkcd and the million-selling What If? and Thing Explainer

  • Save 23%
    - A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design
    by 99% Invisible, Kurt Kohlstedt & Roman Mars
    £15.49

    An alternative guide to the hidden everyday objects in a city, from the hugely successful podcast 99% Invisible

Culture
What defines culture you might ask? The answer is culture is what defines you. It is what makes us humans human and differentiate us from all other species on the planet. Art and culture is what we share with others, whether it is so called high culture or pop culture. High culture is typically associated with the ‘finer’, classical art forms such as opera, classical music, visual art, ballet and plays. Works that often have a certain age and artistic acknowledgement begin it, but fine culture is also sometimes seen as “high-brow” and not something everyone can understand and that’s sad, because culture and cultural books are for everyone no matter the kind. On the other end of the spectrum we have pop culture that typically is associated with more modern, popular and mainstream forms of culture. It can be pop music, cartoons or big blockbuster movies. We have cultural books from each side of the spectrum, but the best thing is that a change between the two concepts is coming and people are more open about mixing high culture and pop culture, because they are not that different at all. The most important thing about culture is that it connects us and is part of who we are. It can create communities and friendships, but also let us reflect upon ourselves. You can get wiser on that topic in some of our selection’s culture books. 

Art
In our selection you find some of the finest art books featuring some of the greatest artists in history and now. Art is a very important part of our culture. In art you have the possibility of getting engrossed in a wonderful painting, a provocative sculpture, a brilliant play or a beautiful ballet. 
In art you can get lost in the most wonderful stories and themes and identify yourself with someone who doesn’t necessarily look and act like you. By experiencing that you improve your ability of empathy. At the same time you can learn about yourself through art and art books especially when it comes to feelings that can be difficult to describe. In art the themes and problematics are universal and that’s why we feel recognized when experiencing a play, listening to a symphony, studying a great painting or reading a good art book. The art books are best enjoyed in a relaxed setting giving the art room to speak. 
Another beautiful thing about art is that it needs interpretation. When a person meets a well painted painting, a classical sculpture, or a provocative installation it makes us reflect about what it means, and what the art will tell us about society, life or yourself. Everyone can get something different out of a good artwork, because it speaks directly to you and functions as a dialog, where you will have to finish the sentence with your interpretation taking our own life and experiences into the artwork.
We also have a lot of artist books. One of the most talented and popular artists right now are the world famous Dane Vilhelm Hammershøi. Hammershøi has a very significant way of painting giving voice to the melankolic side of the world and of us humans. The painter is famous for his artworks of especially white doors in his apartment in Copenhagen. In the paintings Hammershøi plays with light and shadow in a brilliant way giving room to both sides, which also could be seen as a reflection of life that contains both. The motive also makes the art watcher wonder what is on the other side of the doors or corridors making them compose a continuation of the painting. You can read about Hammershøi in an European context in the artist book Hammershoi and Europe

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